Writing off Marcus Smith after Fin’s coming of age is harsh and wrong – here’s why the magician is still pivotal for England, writes CHRIS FOY
When England come back into camp on Wednesday, Steve Borthwick should take Marcus Smith to one side and tell him he will be starting again at full-back, against Scotland.
Just take the tension out of the situation and head off the backlash against the relocated playmaker. Suddenly, it feels as if he is being cast as yesterday’s man, on borrowed time until an inevitable demotion. That is wildly unfair.
The narrative has shifted fast. Fin Smith is in possession of the No 10 shirt and can’t move for all the red rose bouquets being hurled his way. Hailed as the hero of the last-gasp win over France, the Northampton fly-half has been installed without hesitation as the public and pundits’ choice to wield the conductor’s baton for England for years to come. He is the answer. Debate over.
Meanwhile, just as the match-winning Saint was the figure up in lights, poor Marcus was cast as the spare part; the man whose face just doesn’t fit now. Social media was awash with savage verdicts about his efforts while accepting the unfamiliar task of wearing 15 and lurking in the back field. A couple of hooked shots off the tee, a couple of drops and it’s ‘thanks for coming and farewell’.
Not so fast. The verdicts are harsh and wrong. Marcus Smith played a significant role in England’s shock win in Le Crunch and he does not deserve to be cast aside. Just a few months after being the darling of the crowd, he should not be regarded as a fall-guy now.
Time and time again at Twickenham, the French defence was challenged and breached by the daring England full-back. From start to finish, he followed orders by launching counter-attacks from deep, backing his instincts and searching for space. In a game against a heavier, stronger side, the hosts needed to stretch the visitors and unsettle them with attacking spontaneity, which is magic Marcus’ trademark. He did what he was picked to do. He asked questions and threatened.
Marcus Smith was cast as the spare part during England’s last-gasp win over France
Fin Smith, meanwhile, was heralded as the hero of the victory at Twickenham on Saturday
Critics of Marcus Smith were wrong, however, and he does not deserve to be cast aside
In difficult conditions, the older Smith made mistakes, while trying to make things happen. But, crucially, he didn’t go into his shell. He didn’t retreat into conservatism and tense introspection, even after striking two kicks at goal wide of the mark by a distance. He wanted the ball. He was stripped of it once and fumbled a ‘red-zone’ pass due to mistiming his run, but he was trying to go through gaps past flailing arms, rather than just catch and pass in space.
There is a bigger issue here. English sport is a landscape or orthodoxy; full of moulds which players are supposed to fit into. Anyone who doesn’t is viewed with suspicion, if their X-factor talent comes with a risk-and-reward equation. There is a danger of that scenario with Marcus Smith. As was so evident in the autumn, he can create so much out of thin air, but he is fallible in the process.
Acclaiming Fin as a reliable facilitator does not have to go hand-in-hand with damning Marcus as a maverick. Let’s stick with magician; a more positive spot of alliteration.
There’s one other point here and it is about perception. Anyone who has seen episode one of the new Netflix ‘Full Contact’ series, about the Six Nations, will form an impression of Marcus Smith which is not the full story. Do not write him off, based on an edit which seeks to highlight glamour over every-day graft.
His agent talks about the poster boy having the ‘best hair in world rugby’ and there is an excruciating amount of product placement, particularly when he collects a new car. But he is passionate about his job and passionate about playing for his country.
He is also good at it and is only 25, so there is so much more to come. He and Fin can work together, as a playmaker alliance. For now, retain them at 10 and 15. Maybe in time, there could be a 10 and 12 option. Either way, Marcus can dodge the backlash and remain part of the plan.
AT LEAST SPELL HIS NAME RIGHT!
Perhaps they will learn how to spell the name of England’s new No 10 at Twickenham, in time for the next home match, on February 22.
When he was announced as Player of the Match towards the end of last Saturday’s game against France, the sense of a chaotic, error-strewn occasion shifted from the pitch to the big screen, which revealed that the award winner was ‘Finn Smith’. It’s Fin. Maybe, if those with fingers on the buttons at HQ need a helpful clue, think of the bit of a shark which sticks out of the water, rather than the people from a country to the east of Scandinavia. Don’t confuse him with the Scottish playmaker with two ‘n’s, who is on his way soon.
Fin Smith’s name was spelt incorrectly when he was announced as the Player of the Match
HOY THE REAL ATTRACTION
Undoubtedly the most emotional moment of the weekend was the sight of Sir Chris Hoy coming out to deliver the match ball at Murrayfield, wearing a Scotland shirt and battling to contain his raw emotions.
The six-time Olympic champion is a national hero – north of the border and south; to Scots and all of Britain – and a stirring example of courage and resilience, as he responds to a terminal cancer diagnosis with dignity and fund-raising zeal. His appearance super-charged the atmosphere, not that it could inspire the home team, who are once again coming to terms with annual hopes turning to dust. Meanwhile, the BBC cameras kept picking out Hollywood actor Gerard Butler in the crowd. Here he is chatting. Here he is clapping. Here he is singing. Once was enough of the spot-the-celeb routine.
Meanwhile, when the ref mic picked up a voice shouting ‘f***ing hit him’ as Ireland attacked, congratulations to commentator Andrew Cotter for responding by saying, deadpan: ‘Wise words coming in from the Scotland defence’. Very good.
Sir Chris Hoy delivered the ball before kick-off between Scotland and Ireland on Sunday
Hoy’s appearance at Murrayfield was the most emotional moment of the weekend
THERE’S ONLY ONE MAN FOR THE WALLABIES JOB
Ronan O’Gara is going to end up in a Test head coaching role somewhere soon enough, judging by the amount of time spent publicising his intentions.
On Sunday, there he was at Murrayfield acting as a TV pundit and explaining that he wants to take charge of a national team, while also earnestly emphasising his commitment to La Rochelle. Frankly, the French club might as well be succession planning now, because the Irishman who led them to back-to-back Champions Cup triumphs won’t be around for much longer.
Few places on earth can match the striking, old-world charm of that scenic town by the Atlantic with its beautiful harbour and fervent local support – but O’Gara’s sporting ambitions are understandable, as someone who has shrewdly co-ordinated his coaching career. Stints at Racing 92 and the Crusaders, prior to his golden era with ‘Stade Rochelais’ have equipped the former Ireland fly-half for Test rugby and it surely won’t be long before he is head-hunted, perhaps by Australia. If they have any sense, they will target him for the Wallabies job.
Ronan O’Gara is head coach of French side La Rochelle – but might not be for much longer
THE LAST WORD
At this rate, the Lions are going to have to wear green shirts Down Under this summer, or at least green shorts, such will be the Irish influence on the 2025 crusade.
Andy Farrell was in Edinburgh on Sunday to watch several Scottish tour contenders being put in their places by infinitely superior rivals from Ireland, who took another step towards a ‘three-peat’ of championship titles.
Scotland’s back line had been heralded for their collective Lions credentials but, man for man, they were clinically exposed by fired-up opponents. Sam Prendergast, Bundee Aki, Robbie Henshaw and James Lowe were among those who made big statements, along with Andrew Porter and Tadhg Beirne – again – up front, while Caelan Doris looks like a Lions captain-in-waiting.
Meanwhile, Welsh red will dominate the tour attire but not the tour squad – and certainly not the Test XV. The country with such a proud Lions heritage could be all but absent from the trip this year, with maybe only Jac Morgan and Tomos Williams currently shaping up as worthy of a seat on the plane.
